Cotton-picker.



J. T; MGDONALD,

COTTON PIOKBR. APPLIOATIONYIILED MAY 15, 1907.

m Q N R i l Patented Sept. 29, 1908.

6 SHEBTSSHEET 1.

J.v T. MoDONALD. COTTON PIOKER.

I APPLIOATION FILED MAY 15. 1901.

v Patented Sept. 29, 1908.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

James ZWIWMM J. T. MoDONALD.

COTTON PIGKER.

APPLICATION IILBD MAY15, 1901.

Ptented Sept. 29, 1908.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

17 rd Wa By 9. Lbk. I Ma J. TLMoDONALD. COTTON PIOKER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1 907. 899,835.

' Patented Sept. 29,1908.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

James 2772 50027014 91, 9M4 I By J. T. MQDONA LD. COTTON PIGKER.

I APPLICATION FILED MAY 15 1907. 899,835.

- Patented Sept. 29, 1908. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

a Q Q tj w.

-' "1 I 7 Aflomey UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES T. MCDONALD, OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS- common-Hons.

. Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 29, 1908.

' Q Application filed May 15, 1907. Serial No. 373,739.

To all whom it may-camera:

Be it'known that 1, JAMES T. MCDONALD a citizen of the United States,residing at Little Rock, in the county of Pulaski. and State ofArkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cotton-Pickers, of which the following is a specificatlon.

My invention relates to cotton pickers and more particularly to amachine for thoroughly collecting the cotton fiber from the near sidesof two adjoining rows of cotton plants in the field. I

The object of the invention is to rovide means for collecting orgathering tli standing wild branches of two rows of cotton plants thelength of the machine into a vertical position, while advancing themachine one length.

A further object of-the invention is to provide means for pressing-theplants on both sides, toward a central picking chamber, and at the sametime pressing the bolls in advance of the plants, with the fiberthereof, against or in close proximity to the picking chamber. 1 x 4 Afurther object of my invention is to provide means for advancing thepicking needlesinto the bolls, and then gi-vmg said needles axialrevolutions to cause same 'to engage the fiber of said bolls, this to bedone alternately, first on one side and then the other of the pickingchamber.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for causing areverse axial revolution of the picking needles after they are withdrawninto the picking chamber, to allow the cotton fiber to be readilybrushed or doffed 03 of said needles.

A further object of my invention is to present the cotton fiber in sucha uniform relation to the picking chamber that said fiber will beengaged by the ends of-the needles only, from which, it may be readilyremoved.

-My past experience has proved that where a long spindle is insertedinto a plant collecting the cotton fiber at any point at which itcontacts therewith, in attem ting to strip the cotton from the spindle,t at which was collected back from the end of the spindle rolls up andbecomes so tight thereon that it is impossible to remove it.

In order thatmy invention may be more nal section of the icker chambermechanism, parts being bro en away, Fig. 7 is a section on line 77 Fig.6, looking in the direction of the arrow, Flg. 8 is-a similar view online 8-8 Fig. 6, Fig. 9 'is a top plan of parts shown in Fig. 6, Fig. 10is a detail perspective showing parts of the stripping frame and themanner of mounting same on the needle carrying frame, and, Fi 11 is adetail perspective showing one o my double picking needles, and aportionof one of the needle twisting belts.

Referring to the drawings by numerals 1 designates the picker chamber, 2a lateral extending frame at the top thereof and 3, 3 the presserchambers. The icker chamber, 1, is located between two a joining rows ofcotton plants, and the presser chambers 3, 3, are located outsideof'said rows. '4 indicates a frame secured to and extending in front andin rear of the lower portion ofthe picker chamber, a single wheel 5 infront and wheels 6, in rear, are mounted in said frame and support themachine. Carried on the frame- 4, in advance of the wheel 5, and on thefront of the presser chambers, are the gatlierin or collecting lows 7,desi ned to bring al of the outstanding branches of the lants, to anupright position between the si es of the picker chamber and the presserchamber while advancing the machine. Caster wheels 8, 8 are mounted withshields on the outer lower sides of the presser chambers, to prevent themachine from striking the ground in case it tilts'to either side.

A description of one of the presser chamhers is deemed sufficient asthey are identical and operate simultaneously. The presser chamber 3,comprises an outer casing 9, and mounted to swing on links 10, pivotedat 11, to the outer casing, is an inner swinging frame 12. Within saidframe 12, is a presser of the' 'slot- 16 are pivot horizontallyandcovere with rubber or a like substance cause a firm frictional contactbetween said strips and the presser fingers, and also form bearlngstherefor. Should one of the presser fingers strike or come in contactwith a heavy stem of the' cotton plant, this construction will permitthe presser fingerto stop and the frame to roceed Without it, thusreventing the brea 'ng of the finger or the p ant.

secured to the inner face of the strips 15.

Arms 16, having slots 16, therein are ivoted at 16, to the brackets 17mounte on the outer presser chamber. In the outer end ins 16, adjustablysecured to the presser finger frame, and

near the center of said slots 16*, are pivot ins 16 ,'adjustabl securedto the inner ame 12.. The 16, cause a relative amount of movement of thepresser finger frame, in relationto the swinging frame 12,

governed by the adjustment of the pivot pins 16 and 16. Links 18,mounted on shafts 19, and secured to the swinging frame 12, at 18 aredesigned to project and retract the I :swinging frame 12, and the pivots16, will 0 erate the link which in turn will piperate t e presser fingerframe toward an from the picker chamber. Should several of the presserfingers in their advance movement be stopped as shown in Fig. 4 bycoming in contact with heavybranches of the cotton plants, upon theretraction of .the finger carrying frame the rear ends of said fingerswillcome in contact with the rear wall of the presser chamber and beforced back intotheir normal position in relation to the other fingers.

The picker chamber consists of end. walls 19*, connected by side slats20, spaced as shown to ermit the ends of three horizontal sets of pie'ng needles pass out between the same, said slats 20, acting as apartialwall against which the cotton bolls are pressed by the'presser fingers,and also to act as means frictional sleeves.

for retarding the branches when the pull comes on the bolls while thefiber is being removed therefrom. Mounted within the icker chamber andadapted to recipro'cate om side to side thereof 1s a needle carryingframe comprising end pieces 21 of substantially T shape. Mounted in theextremities 22, of the T shape head 23, are antifriction rolls 24,adapted to travel on runways 25 at the top of said picking chamber.Mounted on the outer surfaces of the depending portions of the T shapeportion 21, at the top and bottom thereof, are pins 26 having anti- Theend pieces 27, of the stripper frame have slots 28*, in which the pins26 operate, said end pieces 27, of the stripper being connected byhorizontal slats For spacing the presser fingers horizontally I providevertical strips 15,

ceases seen that the width of the stripper frame is such as to causesaid strip ing frame to contact with the side of thepicker chamber andsto prior to the completion of the movement 0 the needle-frame, therebycausing the picker needles on the other side of the stripper to be drawnwithin or between the slats 28, of the stripper and be relieved ofcotton picked thereby.

The needle carrying frame consists of the end pieces 21 and two sets ofslats 29, connecting the end pieces placed a short distance apart toaccommodate the enlarged tooth portions 30 -of the picker needles, saidpicker needles having extended shank ortions 32, which are flattened ontheir en s to form substantially spear ,shape points 33. The shankportions 32, of the picker needles rest on the slats 29, which formbearing for same. The tooth portions 30 of the picker needles are inline vertically and are of sufficient distance apart to permit oftoothed belts or the like or soft ropes to pass vertically between eachof said vertical rows of needles.

Rollers 34 and 35 mounted on spindles; 36

and 37 at the top, and rollers138 and 39 mounted on spindles 40 and 41at thebottom of the end pieces 21 over which alternate belts 42 areadapted to operate, are journaled in the end pieces 21.

By referring to Fi 7 of the drawings it will be seen that a bel 42 lyingon one side of a vertical series of needles 1s secured to roll 34 at thetop and given a wind about roll 38, at the bottom and secured thereto, abelt lying on the other side of this series of needles is given a windabout roll 35 at the top and is secured to roll 39, at the bottom. Thisis repeated from end to end of the needle carrying frame. It willreadily be seen that by gearing the rollers to revolve in the samedirection for say, one revolution the needles will be given axialrevolutions, the belts on one side of each vertical series of s indlestraveling in one direction while t ose on the other side travel in theopposite direction, and upon a reverse movement of the rolls a reverserotation will be imparted to the spindles. The spindles 36, 37 and 40,41, are extended beyond the T shape frame 21, at the rear and havemounted thereon four sprocket wheels 42, over which an endless sprocketchain 42, operates, causing all of said spindles to revolve in the samedirection when motion is imparted to the upper spindles 36, 37 by gears43, 43, mounted on said spindles. A shaft 44 above the spindles 36, 37and lying parallel thereto, and a correspondin shaft 45, beneath thespindles 40, 41 exten beyond said T shape pieces 21 finger frame 13,carrying a series of presser 28, intended to pass. freely between eachjcfingers 14. Stri s 15,- arranged in front and rear and. carrying rackwheels 46 meshing in racks 47, secured to the frame of the picker,chamber: Mounted on said shafts 44 and 45 are sprocket wheels 48, overwhich an endless sprocket chain 49 travels to cause a positive movementof the top and bottom of the needleframe, from side to side of thepicker chamber.

In operating the machine it is desired to have a slight revolution ofthe picker needles at the latter part of their longitudinal move- I,ment, for two reasons, first to facilitate the mittentrevoluble movementto the needles needles advancing between any branches of the cottonplants should they contact therewith on then forward movement, secondthe dofiing'ofi of the cotton inside of the picking chamber by the stripin frame is desirable at the last art of he Tongitudinalmovement, thereore the reverse revolutions of the needles for releasing the cotton mustbe made before that time. I, therefore, desire to impart an intermittentlateral movement to the needle carrying frame and an interand to havethis to a certain extent adjustable. Mounted on shaft '44, in line withand adapted to mesh with the gear wheels 43, 43,

on t e slpindles 36,37, is a wide. face gear 50 internal y screwthreaded to the shaft-44, the threads 51 on said shaft extending beyondthe gear and having adjustably'mounted thereon stop nut 52, 52. It willbe seen by referring to Fi 4 of the drawings that the racks 47 have teir ends turned u as shown at 47 the same being smooth an forming astopas well asa smooth bearing-for the rack wheels 46 at both ends of theirtravel.

By this construction, referring toFigs. 6

and 7, Supposin the needles to the left in Fig. 7 to have ta en hold ofthe cotton in the boll, by giving the shaft 44 a movement in thedirection of the arrow, the needle carrying frame will immediately startto the right, the shaft 44 me'relyturning within the vwide face gear 50.Dogs mounted on the upturned stops 47, under which the gears 50 advancedrop into the teeth of said gears 50 and-momentarily hold sameat thebeginning of the reverse movement of the hand wheel.

turning with the shaft.

The car 50 advancing longitudinally along the s aft toward the otherst0p52 but not When the gear reaches the sto nut 52 it begins to revolvewith the .sha t and im arts 'movement through the gears- 43 to t e rollsand, belts and t0 the needles. This'movement of the needles occurs afterthey are withdrawn into the picking chamber and before the stri perframe comes in contact with" the other si e of the pickerchamber whichcauses the opposite side of the stripperframe to dofi th.e cot.-

ton from then posite needles. Mounted at t ebase of the picker chamberat ts rearend is grooved roller 53, at the advancing the machine.

said presser chambers.

forward end are two rollers 54 and 55, and on brackets56, on the upperforward end of the picker chamber is a roller 57 over which an endlessbelt made up of a series of ropes 58, operates to elevate the cottonfiber which is dropped thereon in the picker chamber. The roller 53 isbelted to the rear axle to give said endless belt the propermovementwhile The cotton fiber resting on the endless belt is carriedbeneath roller 54 and is there forced partly between said ropes, therebyforming an engagement therewith, and is lifted to a series of starwheels 59 mounted on'a-shaft 60 which is mounted in the brackets 56 atthe top of the picker chamber. The arms of the star wheels 59 liebetween the ropes of the belt 5.8 during part of their revolution, saidarms will throw the cotton fiber from said belt into a receptacle 61resting on top of the machine,

, the shaft carrying the star wheels 59 is given be forced toward oraway from the picker chamber. A

The operation is as follows: The machine is advanced the length of itspicking surface, with the picker chamber lying between two rows ofcotton plants and the presser cham-. has one on the outside of each ofsaid rows,

B p I ating the lever 19 on its pivot, the presser fingers] on bothsides of the picker chamber w1 at which time the plants withall of theirbranches will be gathered in a compact form between the sides of saidpicker chamber and The lever 19 is thrown to the full line positionshown in Fig. 5, at which time theplants will be pressed toward thepicker chamber and the pressing fin ers will at the same time advancethe b0 u a ainst said picker chamber. The hand-w ee is then operatedwhich advances the picking needles out into the-bolls on one side of theicker chamber, the needles are given a slig t axial movement on theirway out to insure free passage through the branches of the plants. Whenthe picking needles are fully advanced into the bolls the rack wheelsf46run out ofthe teeth of the rack 47 and into the blank upturned endportions of same thereby giving the needles no further longitudinalmovement, but slightly before this time, however, the wide face gear 50has traveled along the shaft to the oppo- .site stop nut, and by thegears 43 and rollers carrying the belts 42 the needles start to revolve.and continue to after the carrierthistime the dogs 50 operate to holdthe gear 50 from revolving, thus breaking any jam which it may have onthe shaft 44, and

still permits it to be drawn from beneath same, and until said gearproceeds longitudia nally along shaft 44 to the other stop nut 52,

it will be left idle and necessarily the needles as' well. Just prior tothe arrival of the carriage to its other limit, the gear 50 comes incontact with the stop nut and the needles begin to revolve, after theyhave revolved about one revolution in an opposite direction, the striper slats come in contact with the side oft e frame and the cotton is Ifnecpushed or doifed from the needles. essary this operation may be reeated before the machine is advanced. W en the machine'is advanced thecotton just picked and dro ped onto the belt 58 willbe elevated and discarged into the basket on top of the machme.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent 1s,

1. In a machine for picking cotton from plants, the combination with apicking mechanism, of means movable toward and from 'said mechanism forengaging the'fiber bearing portions of the plants to retain the same incooperative position for the action of the picking mechanism;

- 2. In a machine for picking cotton from plants, the combination withpicking mech anism, of means reciprocating relative to said mechanismfor pressing the fiber bearing por tions of the plants toward saidpicking mechanismsubstantially as described.

'3. In a movable machine for picking cotton from plants, the combinationwith pickmg mechanism, of means reciprocating relative to said mechanismfor pressing the fiber bearing portions of the plants toward saidpicking mechanism and means for guiding said portions of the plantsbetween'said picking andpressing mechanisms, substantially as described.

4. In a movable machine for picking cotton from plants, the combinationwith picking mechanism, of devices located onopposite sides of saidpicking mechanism for pressing the fiber bearing portions of the plantstoward the same and means for guiding adj acent rows of plants betweensaid picking mechanism and said ressing devices, substantially asdescribed 5. In a machine for picking cotton from plants, thecombination with a picking chamber of mechanism for pressing portions ofthe plants toward said chamber and picking mechanism within said chamberfor picking the cotton fiber and delivering the same into said chamber,substantiall as described.

6. In a machine for picking cotton from lants, the combination with apicking chamber, of mechanism for ressing portions of the plants towardsai chamber, picking mechanism within said chamber for picking the fiberfrom the plants and delivering same into said chamber and mechanism forconveying the fiber in said chamber to a collecting receptacle,substantiall as described.

7. In a maehine for pic 'ng cotton from plants, the combination with apicking chamber having apertures in a surface thereof, of reci rocatingpicker needles mounted in said c amber 1n line with said aperturestherein and mechanism for simultaneously reciprocating and revolvingsaid needles whereby said needles are alternatelyforced through andwithdrawn from said apertures in said chamber, substantially asdescribed. 8. In a machine for picking cotton from plants, thecombination with a picki chamber having apertures in a wall thereo ofreciprocating picker needle's mounted insaid chamber in line with said aertures therein, mechanism for pressing the fiber bearing portions of.the plants toward the apertures in .needles through and withdraw t esame from said apertures in said chamber, as described.

9. In a machine for picking cotton from plants, the combination with apicking chamber having apertures in a wall thereof, of a stripper withinsaid chamber provided with substantially apertures therein substantiallyin line with said apertures in said chamber,reci rocable and revolubleneedles mounted wit in said chamber in line with said apertures thereinand said apertures in said'stripper and mechanism for reciprocating andrevolving said needles, said mechanism being adapted to revolve saidneedles in one direction when projectin the same and in an opposite divrection wIlen retracting them, su stantially as described.

10. In a machine for picking cotton from plants, the combination with allpicking chamer having apertures in a wa thereof, of a stripper withinsaid chamber provided with apertures therein substantially in line withsaid apertures in said chamber, reciprocable and revoluble pickerneedles mounted within said chamber inline with said apertures thereinand with said apertures in said stripreversed, substantially asdescribed. 1

revolve thesame, and mechanism for recip-v per, and mechanism forreciprocating'said needles and simultaneously revolving the sameas theyreach the extent of their throw, substantially as described. r 11. In" amachine for picking cotton from plants, the combination with a ickingchamber having apertures in a wa thereof, of a stripper withm saidchamber provided with apertures therein substantially in line with saidapertures in said chamber, reciprocable and revoluble picker needlesmounted within said chamber in line with said apertures therein and saidapertures in said stripper, and mechanism forsimultaneouslyreciproeating and revolving said needles, said mechanismincluding adjustable means for permitting said .needles to movelongitudinally .to a desired extent before revolving same,

substantially as described.

12. In a machine for picking cotton, the combination with a pickerchamber having apertures in'a wall thereof, of areciprocable framemounted within said chamber, picker needles revolubly mounted insaid'frame in line with said apertures in said chamber, belts mounted onsaid frame and movable-in opposite directions, said belts beingadaptedto engage saidneedles on opposite sidesto where y said frame may bereciprocated a predetermined distance before the belts are operated,substantially as described.

15. In a machine for picking cotton, the combination with a pickerchamber having apertures in the o posite sides thereof, of a movablestripper ocated Within said chamber and having apertures in oppositesides rocating said frame and operating said belts," substantially asdescribed, i l 13. In a machine for picking cotton, the combination witha picker chamber having apertures ina wall thereof, of a. reciprocableframe mounted within said chamber, picker needles revolubly mounted onsaid frame in line with said apertures in" said chamber, belts mountedon said frame and movable in opposite directions, said belts beingadapted to engage saidneedles on opposite sides to revolve the same, andmechanism for reciprocating said frame and operating said belts, saidmechanism including means for. automatically reversing-.1- the movementof said belts when the movement of said frame is 14. In a machine forpicking cotton, the combination with a picker chamber'having aperturesin a wall thereof, of a frame mount ed within said chamber and movabletoward and from the a ertured wall thereof, picker needles revolub ymounted on said frame. in line with said apertures in said chamber, eachof said needles being .provided with-longitudinal corrugations, opositelymovablecorrugated belts mounted on said framejand ada ted toengage the corrugated portions of sai needles on opposite sides thereof,mechan sm for reciprocating saidframe and. operating said belts, saidmechanism includin' a inion for driving said belts, said pinion emgtapped and mounted on a screw threaded Q power shaft, adjustable stopnuts on said power shaft for limiting the movement of said inionlongitudinally of said shaft,

thereof, said apertures in said stripper being substantially in linewith said apertures in said chamber, a reciprocable needle framemounted'within said stripper and having series of picker needles mountedthereon and.

extendin' in opposite directions and in line with sai apertures in saidstripper and mechanism for reci rocating said frame and revolving saidnee les, substantially as described.

16. In a machine for picking cotton, the combination, with a pickerchamber having apertures in opposite sides thereof, of a mova lestripper located within said chamber and having apertures in oppositesides there- Of, said-apertures in said stripper being substantially inline with said a ertures in said chamber, a reciprocable need e framemounted within said stripper and having series of picker needles mountedthereon and extendmg in opposite directions in linewith said aperturesin said stri per, mechanism for reciprocating said nee le frame andrevolving said needles, and devices located on opposite sides of saidpicker chamber for pressing the fiber bearing portions of plants to-Ward the apertures in said chamber substantially as described.

' 17. In a machine for pickin cotton from plants, the combination wit a,mechanism, of mechanism for pressing the fiber bearing portions of theplants toward said picking mechanism, said pressing mechanism includinreciprocable ressing fingers movable towar and from said pickingmechanism, substantially as described. 1

18. In .a machine for picking cotton from plants, the combination withapicking mechanism, of mechanism for bearing portions of the p antstoward the picking mechanism, said pressing mechanism includingreciproeable pressing fingers movabletoward andlfrom said pickingmecharipicking ressing the fiber ism, said fingers being mountedindepend- I 'e'ntly of one another and each-being adapted to yield uponcoming in contact with a stationary obstacle Without retarding themovement of the remaining fingers, substantially as described.

19. In a machine for picking cotton, the

combination with a picking mechanism, of a reciprocating ressing framemovable toward and from said picking mechanism, pressin fingers slidablymounted in said frame an frictional means for retarding the movement ofsaid fingers in said frame, substantially as and said finger frametoward and from said 10 described. picking chamber, substantially asdescribed. 20. In a machine for picking cotton from In testimony whereofI'SLfi IX my signaturegiants, the combination with a picking chaminpresence of two witnesses. 5

er of a presse rchamber having a swinging igi'lesse'r frame mountedtherein, a presser JAMES MCDONALD ger frame within said swinging frame,Witnesses: presser fingers mounted in said ger frame F. H. HUBBARD,

and means for moving said presser frame I E. R. RUPPERT.

